Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-12-01
THE "raEE PRESS" wEAKHNs,

The Idaho County Free Press, in
its issue of the 18th inst. -, urges the
people Of that county to come forward
and sign the petition. Tor the annexation
of North Idaho to Washington Territory,
and, very aptly, suggests that time Is
precious, as Congress meets next week
&c. We heartily second the appeal OF
the Free Press and ask the people to
not delay in filing up the petitions SO
that they can be presented to congress in
ample time for action during its forth
coming session. The annexation issue
is Of vital interest to the people Of Idaho
county and they should be the last ones
10 assume an Indifferent attitude in the
inal settlement Of this important ques-
ton. Their commercial outlet is west
ward, across the Pan handle through
Washington Territory, to the sea or into
Washington and over the N. P. Il. r.,
to the markets Of the east. II is and
always will be ga impossibi'ity for them
10 organize any business relation with the
Southern part Of the territory, as no
means of inter. communication can be
established between the two sections,
except, perhaps. the carrier-plgeon sys
tenn or the MT re expensive and dangerous
migratory voyages Of the balloon, air
ships Of modern inventions. The only
relationship, Of binding character,
which We now sustain to South Idaho,
il in transmitting to the territorial, "crib'
the annual "pound Of flesh demanded
as our tribute to the financial gods be-
fore which tho Boise City Ring bow in
most worshipfully alteration. As the
editor Of tho Free Press says, "the
right OF petition is sacred" aud to this
sacred right do we cling with tho des-
perate hope which inspires man to
wave his signal Of distress from the
towering masts Of a .inking ship. We
had been led to think that the editor Of
the Free Press was opposed to the
annexation memorial and would dis
courage instead Of encourage tho signing
Of the same, and We are glad to Gee hin
uniting with US in the advocacy Of I
measure 80 fraught with beneficial result
for our people. If he ever was incine'
10 disaffection in this, our righteous war
fare Of the people Of tho North asains
oppression, no doubt his recent visit t
the South and what he saw and hear,
while IL the camp Of the enemy, settle'
his mind 10 tho positive conviction tina
our cause was not only worthy Of iudivid
ual sanction but merited tho mo,
strenuous advocacy at the hands Of on
,citisens and Of our citizens press. IL
the people act promptly upon his advie
and agct in and sign the petitions +" "
require no stronger or more forcib
argument before the congress than II
voice, will and desire Of the people ;
expressed in the memorial we shall pr
sent to our country's representatives
Washington. But ten names are bstt'
than one aud one thousand are bett
than ten. Those who are interested
and to be effected by any species
character of legislation are the ones
have their desire expressed to our legi
1ators. We must make our wan
known if We expect to receive aid al
qualification. In other words, if ,
want help We can only secure it by,
least, trying to help ourselves. v
want every citizen Of North Idaho
sign the memorial; and every citiz
who fails to sign it, in our cordid OPT
ion, fails to do his duty to himself, to |
family, to his neighbor and to the COZ
nunity. Again we say to the people
Idaho county, in the language Of t
Free Press, "hurry up and get in 4
sign" And We would repeat this
iusction to the people Of Nez PERI
Shoshone aud Kootenai counties;
time Is precious and we will make o
memorial precious to the interests al
welfare Of the people, if they will
their part and get in and sign.